Belhaj was attempting to gain political asylum in Britain at the time, but was kidnapped in Bangkok, apparently by CIA with British help, and transferred to Libya, where he was tortured by the Gadhafi regime. MI6’s letter congratulated Gadhafi on receiving his “air cargo.”

MI6 officials at the time expressed concern that having captured Belhaj, the leader of Libya’s moderate Islamists, was actually helping al-Qaeda to recruit his followers to more regional groups. Belhaj is suing Britain over his rendition and torture.